Syria Approves Temporary Electoral System for Parliament

Syria’s transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa has approved a temporary electoral system to guide upcoming parliamentary elections, a key step in the country’s fragile political transition after the departure of Bashar al-Assad. The decree sets new rules for electing lawmakers, dividing constituencies, and appointing members, with an emphasis on transparency as the transitional government seeks legitimacy at home and abroad.

New Electoral Structure

Under the decree, the People’s Assembly will be composed of 210 members. Two-thirds will be chosen through elections conducted in governorate constituencies based on demographic and administrative divisions, while the president will appoint the remaining third.

The decree also sets out requirements for membership, criteria for electoral bodies, and the formation of higher and subsidiary election committees to manage disputes and appeals.

Preparations Underway

Mohammad al-Ahmad, head of the Supreme Committee for the People’s Assembly Elections, confirmed that Syria has been divided into 62 constituencies and that preparations for nominations and electoral body memberships will start immediately. The process includes vote counting and result announcements, with a goal of ensuring integrity and public trust in the new parliament.

This electoral decree marks the most significant institutional change since Assad fled to Russia in December 2024, ending the decades-long Ba’ath Party regime. The transitional administration led by al-Sharaa, installed in January 2025, is under pressure from both domestic groups and international actors to deliver a credible political process.